There are few bigger cheerleaders for the state of Indiana than Jake Budler. That is pretty impressive considering he’s not even a native Hoosier.
Born in Chicago and raised in South Africa, Budler quickly became an advocate for Indiana after relocating here six years ago for work. In particular, he realized central Indiana is a special place for entrepreneurs. Budler is an executive at Endeavor, a global network for high-impact founders in high-growth mode. The firm has regional operations in Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Louisville.
Endeavor’s network spans more than 40 countries and supports more than 2,000 entrepreneurs, including Midwest-based founders from companies like AppHarvest and RxLightning, both tech companies with Indiana ties.
Budler is so excited about what central Indiana has to offer. Last year he launched the inaugural Indy Tech Tour, which touted a variety of tech entrepreneurs, start-up and scale-up companies and facilities that help them succeed.
Budler showed off a variety of tech companies and facilities, including local co-working spaces and the new 16Tech venue on the west edge of downtown Indianapolis, to a cadre of global tech executives, tech media outlets and venture capitalists.
Budler is planning a second Indy Tech Tour for this summer. Stay tuned for more on that. But before that rolls through Indiana again, Budler and his company are hosting the inaugural Endeavor Food Industry Tour in central Indiana.
The tour is a curated, experiential two-day networking event for business founders and investors from around the world in the food, beverage and agriculture spaces. Of course, many of those sectors either overlap the tech sector or are highly tech-enabled.
“The Endeavor Food Industry Tour is bringing top-tier global entrepreneurs, board members and investors to Indianapolis,” Budler says. “Attendees and speakers will be treated to the best-of-the-best in Indy – from our world-class restaurants like Bluebeard and St. Elmo’s to incredible venues like Bottleworks and High Alpha. It’s not just economic development – it’s a chance to build Indianapolis’ brand and show off our city and our hospitality.”
And a strong capital center, Budler adds, reflects well on the entire state.
The Food Industry Tour is set for April 27-29. Founders from companies such as AcreTrader (Arkansas), Farm Fresh (Malaysia), BioElements (Chile), AdClean (Chile) and others will come to the Hoosier state for the two-day event.
Other speakers and attendees include leaders from organizations such as Bacardi, AquaBounty Technologies, Bluestein Ventures, Cleveland Avenue Ventures, Wabi Capital and more. The Endeavor Food Industry Tour is sponsored by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, City of Louisville, Element Three and Lisanne Dorion (of the family that founded Bacardi).
The event includes site Tours of True Essence Foods, What Chefs Want! and High Alpha, an Indianapolis venture studio heavily involved in the tech space.
Networking dinners will be held at St. Elmo’s and Bluebeard and there will be product tastings from Rabbit Hole Distillery and Huse Culinary.
Anthony Schoettle is the director of communications for the Indiana Chamber. He started with the Chamber in 2021 after a long career in journalism. He’s won multiple awards for his storytelling ability on a wide range of business topics.
